Intrenching-tool.



PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

amazon 1n: NORRIS Flrrks co. \usmncmu. n. c.

110. 856.575; PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907. G. F. ELLIOTT.

INTRENGHING TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 15.1906.

2 SEEETBSHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

GEORGE F. ELLIOTT, OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE COR-PS, ASSIGNOR TO ANNIE M. ELLIOTT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

lNTRENCHlNG-TOOL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1907.

To (I/ZZ 11:71.01 if many calmer/1.:

- Be it known that I, GEORGE F. ELLIOTT, brigadier general, United States Marine Corps, and a citizen of the United States, residing atlVashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Intremahing Tools; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention relates to improvements in intrenching tools, and it consists in providing a tool which may be used either as a hoe, or as a spade, or as a root cutter, or as a wire cutter, and which may be conveniently swung along the thigh of the wearer without interfering with his movements while on the march.

My invention also comprises certain novel features and certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which the same parts are indicated by the same letters throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the implement in the position for use as a grubbing hoe. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the head of the implement With the blade as shown in full lines in the 'same position as in Fig. 1, and with the two other locked positions of the blade indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a detail showing the lock for holding the blade in the desired position. Fig. 4. is a side elevation, partly in section, similar to Fig. 2, except that the blade is in one of the unlocked positions. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 shows a section along the line 66 of Fig. 4, parts being shown in elevation, and Fig. 7 shows a simpler form of hinge bolt than that shown in the other 'Iig ures.

A represents a blade preferably of steel with a sharp straight cutting edge a, see Fig. I, which blade is curved upward, as at a, and is provided with side edges a, and the thickened shoulders a. This blade is riveted to a suitable strengthening piece A, with countersunk rivets a". It will be obvious that the piece A and the blade A may be made integral, but for cheapncss of manufacture it is preferable to have the two made separately and then riveted together. This piece A terminates in two aws A between which the pivot plate of the handle is pivoted, as will be hereinafter described. These jaws A have shoulders a. and notches A, A, and A at the base of which notches, A and A inclined planes (r are provided, and one pair of these notches, A is provided with shearing edges a, as shown in. Figs. 2 and B represents the handle, which terminates in a socket piece B, slotted, as at I), to receive the lock C. This lock is provided with a stem 0, which travels in a recess 1), as shown inFig. 4, and is normally pressed outward by the spring C The lock carries two holding lugs C adapted to project into the corresponding notches in the jaws A and the edges of these lugs C are inclined, as at 0 The lock is provided with a finger hole C for convenience of manipulation.

F represents a socket piece, which may be either integral with, or rigidly secured to one of the jaws A but is preferably made integral with said jaw. This lug is provided with a socket f see Fig. 6, for the spring stop E, whose end (2 is normally pressed into engagement with the slot I) in the hinge bolt D, by means of the spring E. This step is provided with a knurled head 6, for convenience of withdrawal, and the hinge bolt Dis also provided with a similar head 11 for a like purpose.

The slot D has two lateral projections (Z and one at each end thereof, so that the hinge bolt may be locked in the socket piece F in either the position shown in Fig. 6, or in the outer position, when the hinge bolt is drawn out far enough to clear the pivot plate B and thus this hinge bolt will permit the blade and the handle to be readily connected together, and readily taken apart, but at the same time the hinge bolt will be prevented from falling out and getting lost. By pulling the locking pin E back far enough, the hinge bolt may be withdrawn altogether.

In the form of device shown in Fig. 7, the blade and handle are permanently connected together by a hinge bolt D", whose ends are countersunk, as at (1*, in the jaws A but otherwise the implement does not differ from that shown in Figs. 1 to 6.

It will be seen by reference to Fig. 2, that the blade may be brought down to the folded position, shown by the lower dotted lines, in which case the lugs C would snap into the notches A and the blade might be put in a suitable bag or scabbard alongside the hip of the wearer, the handle B then hanging down after the manner of a sword.

In order to swing the blade to the first operative position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, it will simply be necessary to withdraw the lock until the lugs C are disengaged from the notches A then turning the blade slightly peding his movements.

about its hinge bolt, if the lock be let go, it will snap into the notch A. The inclined plane a at the base of this notch coacting with the edge of the lug 0 will wedge out any dirt that may have gathered in the notch, and thus the lock is self-cleaning. In a similar way the blade may be raised to the position for use as a spade, which is indicated in dotted lines at the top of Fig. 2; at the time the shoulders I) and a will engage the lugs C will snap into the notches A and the inclined plane a coacting with the faces a will clear out the dirt automatically, as already described. One pair of these notches, such as A is provided with shearing edges a shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, and a corresponding notch B", see Fig. 5, extends across the pivot plate B the two notches being large enough to receive one or more wires W, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 5. If the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, with the wire stretched across the notches A and B", if the blade and the handle be swung apart in opposite directions, the wire will be sheared. The blade and the handle will afford a powerful leverage for shearing the wire or wires.

While, for convenience of transportation, it may be more convenient to have the handle and the blades detachably connected together, as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, they may be permanently hinged together, as shown in Fig. 7, without in any way affecting the operation of the blade, handle and'lock, or affect ing the use of the implement as a wire cutter.

Thus it will be seen that I provide an implement which may be used as a hoe, and which hoe is provided with a sharp cutting edge, which will cut through roots or hard clay, or the like; or the implement may be used as a spade; or it may be used as a wire cutter; and it may be conveniently hung at the side of the wearer without in any way im- Finally, means are provided whereby the notches which coact with the lock, to hold the blade at the various positions, may be automatically cleared of dirt so that the lock will not fail to operate even though the notches may become clogged up.

Thus I provide a single combination tool, which may be used as a spade, hoe, root outter, and wire cutter, and which may be raphandle, of means for locking the said blade to the handle in a plurality of operative positions, comprising a spring impressed lock carried by the handle, and a series of notches.

provided in the head of the blade, the said notches being provided with holding side walls and with an inclined plane at the base thereof, whereby the dirt that might have accumulated in said notches is automatically wedged out when the lock is sprung into engagement, substantially as described.

2. In an implement of the character described, the combination with a blade provided with a pivot plate at its head, and a handle, of means for locking the said blade to the handle in a plurality of operative positions, comprising a spring impressed lock carried by the handle, and a series of notches provided in the head of the blade, the said notches being provided with holding side walls and with an inclined plane at the base thereof, whereby the dirt that might have accumulated in said notches is automatically wedged out when the lock is sprung into engagement, with a notch across the pivot plate of the handle adapted to registerwith one or more of the notches on the head of the blade, and to constitute therewith a wire cutter, substantially as described.

3. In an implement of the character described, the combination with a blade having a straight sharp cutting edge and curved side edges with flat shoulders near its top, and a handle, of means for locking the said blade to the handle in a plurality of operative positions, comprising a spring impressed lock carried by the handle, and a series of notches provided in the head of the blade, the said notches being provided with holding side walls and with an inclined plane at the base thereof whereby the dirt that might have accumulated in said notches is automatically wedged out when the lock is sprung into engagement, substantially as described.

4. In an implement of the character described, the combination with a blade and a handle, of means for locking the said blade to the handle in a plurality of operative positions, comprising a spring impressed lock carried by the handle, and a series of notches provided in the head of the blade and adapted to engage said lock, with a notch across the pivot plate of the handle adapted to register with one or more of the notches on the head of the blade, and to constitute therewith a wire cutter, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a blade having a straight sharp cutting edge and curved side edges with flat shoulders near its top, and a handle, of means tor locking the said blade to the handle in a plurality of operative positions, comprising a spring impressed lock carried by the handle, and a series of notches provided in the head of the blade and adapted to engage said lock, with a notch across the pivot plate of the handle adapted to register with one or more ol the notches on the head of the blade, and to constitute therewith a wire cutter, substantially as described.

6. In an implement oi the character described, the combination with a blade having .a strengthening piece secured to or integral therewith, said piece being provided with jaws in its head with oppositely disposed pairs of notches in the periphery of said jaws, of a handle having a pivot plate hinged between said aws, and a spring impressed lock provided with two lugs forming a fork, adap ted to engage in any pair of said notches in said aws, substantially as described.

7. In an implement of the character de scribed, the combination with a blade having a strengtl'iening piece secured to or integral therewith, said piece being proydded with jaws in its head with oppositely disposed pairs of notches in the periphery of said jaws, with an inclined plane at the base of said notches, of a handle having a pivot plat-e hinged between said jaws, and a spring impressed loek provided with two lugs forming a fork, adapted to engage in any pair of said notches in said jaws, substantially as described.

8. In an implement of the character described, the combination with a blade having a strengthening piece secured to or integral therewith, said piece being provided with jaws in its head with oppositely disposed pairs of notches in the periphery of said jaws, of a handle having a pivot plate hinged between said jaws, with a notch across the pivot plate of the handle, forming with one of the pairs of notches in the jaws a wire cutter, and a spring impressed lock provided with two lugs forming a fork, adapted to engage in any pair of said notches in said jaws, substantially as described.

9. In an implement of the character described, the combination with a blade and a removable hinge bolt connecting the two, and a handle of means for locking the said blade to the handle in a plurality of operative positions, comprising a spring impressed lock carried by the handle, and a series oi notches provided in the head of the blade, the said notches being provided with holding side walls and with an inclined plane at the base thereof, whereby the dirt that might have accumulated in said notches is autoi'natically wedged out when the lock is sprung into engagement, substantially as described.

10. in an implement ol the character described, the combination with a blade having jaws on its head, a handle having a pivot plate adapted to lit thereon and jaws, and a removable hinge bolt connecting the two, of means for lock ng the said blade to the handle in a plurality of operative positions, comprising a spring impressed lock carried by the handle, and a series ol notches provided in the head ol the blade, the said notches being provided with holding side walls and with an inclined plane at the base thereo'l, whereby the dirt that might have accumulated, in said notches is automatically wedged. out when the lock is sprung into engagement, with a notch across the pivot plate of the handle adapted to register with one or more of the notches on the head of, the blade, and to constitute therewith a wire cutter, substantially as described.

ll. in an implement of the character described, the combination with a blade having a straight sharp cutting edge and curved side edges with llat shoulders near its top. and having jaws in its head, a handle having a pivot piece adapted to lit between said jaws, and a hinge bolt connecting said blade and handle, ol means for locking the said blade to the handle in a plurality ot operative positions, comprising a spring impressed lock carried by the handle, and a series of notches provided in the jaws of the blade, the said notches being provided with holding side walls and with an inclined plane at the base thereof whereby the dirt that may have accumulated in said notches is automatically wedged out when the lock is sprung into engagement, substantially as described.

12. In an implement of the character described, the combination with a blade and a handle, and a removable hinge bolt connecting the two, with means for locking said hinge bolt. to said blade in either the engaging or the disengaging position, of means for locking the said blade to the handle in a plurality of operative positions, comprising a spring impressed lock carried by the handle, and a series ol notches provided in the head of the blade and adapted to engage said lock, with a notch across the pivot plate of the handle adapted to register with one or more of the notches on the head of the blade, and to constitute therewith a wire cutter, substantially as described. 1

13. In an implement of the character described, the combination with a blade having a strengthening piece secured to or integral therewith, said piece being provided with jaws in its head with oppositely disposed pairs ol notches in the periphery of said jaws, of a handle having a pivot plate mounted between said jaws, a removable hinge bolt connecting said pivot plate and said aws, means for automatically holding said hinge bolt in said jaws in either the position engaging said pivot plate, or in the disengaged position for removing or inserting said pivot plate, and a spring impressed lock provided with two lugs forming a fork, adapted to engage in any pair of said notches in said jaws, substantiallyas described.

14. In an implement of the character described, the combination with a blade having a strengthening piece secured to or integral therewith, said piece. being provided with jaws in its head with oppositely disposed pairs of notches in the periphery of said jaws, with an inclined plane at the base of said notches, of a handle having a pivot plate mounted between said jaws, a removable hinge bolt connecting said pivot plate and said jaws, means for automatically holding said hinge bolt in said jaws in either the position engaging said pivot plate, or in the disengaged position for removing or inserting said pivot plate, and a spring impressed lock provided with two lugs forming a fork adapted to engage in any pair of said notches in said jaws, substantially as described.

15. In an implement of the character described, the combination with a blade having a strengthening piece secured to or integral therewith, said piece being provided with jaws in its head with oppositely disposed pairs of notches in the periphery of said jaws, of a handle having a pivot plate mounted between said jaws, with a notch across the pivot plate of the handle, forming with one of the pairs of notches in the jaws a wire cutter, a removable hinge bolt connecting said pivot plate and said jaws, means for automatically holding said hinge bolt in said jaws in either the position engaging said pivot plate, or in the disengaged position for removing or inserting said pivot plate, and a spring impressed lock provided with two lugs forming a fork, adapted to engage in any pair of said notches in said jaws, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofl'I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE F. ELLIOTT. Witnesses:

A. L. HOUGH,

WV. MAX. DUVALL. 

